Syngenta Seeds Striving for Control of Broad Leps

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta Seeds calls them “broad leps” – farmers call them expensive – most people would just call them icky. They are a bunch of nasty wormy creatures – technically lepidopteran corn pests – that make up what Syngenta calls the “multi-pest complex” which costs growers over $1 billion each year in lost yield and grain quality. They include corn earworm, …

Audio, Corn, Farming, Seed, Syngenta

New Syngenta Seeds HQ Enhances Global Research

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta Seeds new headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota is just one of the many locations where Syngenta has major research laboratories. Principal Research Scientist for Insect Resistance Dirk Benson talked about Syngenta’s global research capabilities during a symposium for agricultural reporters during the grand opening event. “In Europe, we have insecticide development, we have herbicide technology development, in the US we …

Seed, Syngenta

Syngenta Soybeans Raising the Bar

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta Seeds is launching the new NK-1 Class Soybeans for the 2010 planting season. Dan Dyer, Syngenta Seeds Soybean Product Development Lead, told ag media during the grand opening of the company’s new headquarters that varieties like this prove how Syngenta Seeds is raising the bar. “Over the last couple of years, we’ve noticed in our own data and what …

Audio, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta

Syngenta CEO at New Seeds HQ

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta Seeds Headquarters Opening Photo Album The CEO of Switzerland-based Syngenta helped to do the honors of opening the new headquarters of Syngenta Seeds in Minnetonka, MN on Monday. Mike Mack says the new building represents Syngenta planting the seeds of the future. “We’re really proud of this extraordinary building which embodies the forward-looking, sustainable qualities and spirit of innovation …

Audio, Seed, Syngenta, Video

Syngenta Seeds President Leads Opening Celebration

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta Seeds president David Morgan welcomed agricultural leaders, invited guests, media and employees to the official opening of the Syngenta Seeds headquarters on a beautiful Monday morning in Minnetonka. Among those in attendence were Syngenta CEO Mike Mack, Minnesota State Senator Terri Bonoff, state Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Jim Boerboom, Chamber of Commerce president David Olsen and Minnetonka mayor Terry Schneider. …

Audio, Seed, Syngenta

Dow AgroSciences Acquires Pfister Hybrids

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s the latest change in the seed business and it’s a big one. Dow AgroSciences LLC announced today it is acquiring the majority of assets of Illinois based corn company Pfister Hybrids. The addition of Pfister Hybrids will further expand Dow AgroSciences’ current U.S. seeds business as the company anticipates the introduction of SmartStax(TM) in 2010 and Dow AgroSciences Herbicide …

Agribusiness, Seed

Nufarm Making Move in Seed Treatment

Cindy Zimmerman

Nufarm Americas Inc. is making a major push into the growing seed treatment market, introducing several new products this year to give it a full portfolio of brands to protect seeds and young crops from insects, stress and disease. “We see great opportunities in seed treatment,” says Tim Stoehr, director of sales for Nufarm seed treatment. “With our global reach, …

Seed

Genuine Genuity From Monsanto

Chuck Zimmerman

At last week’s Commodity Classic I learned a new word – Genuity. My teacher was Dion McBay, Monsanto trait marketing lead. Genuity is a new brand that provides Monsanto with a new platform to deliver new technologies to the marketplace. The name came from the work of a brand development team that talked to farmers across the country. The name …

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Seed

Some Crop Scientists Are Frustrated

Chuck Zimmerman

There’s an interesting story in yesterday’s N.Y. Times titled, “Crop Scientists Say Biotechnology Seed Companies Are Thwarting Research.” Apparently a group of university scientists has filed this statement to the EPA which the story says will be holding meetings next week on biotech crops and was seeking public comments. “Technology/stewardship agreements required for the purchase of genetically modified seed explicitly …

Agribusiness, Seed